Indiana Writers Group column for Dec. 21 and thereafter 735 words by Andrea Neal INDIANAPOLIS — If you could create a superholiday, what would it be? That was the “question of the week” posed recently by an Indy entertainment magazine that surveys staff members on trends and topics in the news. The answers were predictably self-centered from the mostly 30-something respondents. “Combine Oktoberfest and Halloween. Trick or treat for beer,” joked one. “It would be…

Andrea Neal column for Dec. 7 and thereafter 700 words INDIANAPOLIS —  If Rep. David Wolkins had his way, he’d end all use of eminent domain for economic development. As chair of the interim study committee on eminent domain, he’ll settle for the next best thing: making it harder for government to seize private property and, when it does, ensuring owners get compensated fairly.     "I don’t like takings at all, unless it’s for public…

Indiana Writers Group column for Dec. 14 and thereafter 684 words by Eric Schansberg, Ph.D. With the recent election results in Kansas and Delaware, the debate in Indiana continues to intensify over teaching Evolution and "Intelligent Design" in the public schools. There is much at stake — from scientific integrity to philosophical baggage. And the stakes are more intense than they ought to be because of the way in which our country delivers educational services.…

Andrea Neal column for Dec. 14 and thereafter730 words INDIANAPOLIS — Remember the old definition of insanity — doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? The description comes to mind with the release of Indiana ISTEP results. Every year, schools spend more time and money on test preparation, remediation and analyzing test scores. Then we react with disappointment when scores fail to rise in proportion to our investment. ISTEP scores are…

Andrea Neal column for Aug. 17 and thereafter740 words INDIANAPOLIS — Are books essential to a child’s education? The answer could spell the end to Indiana’s textbook rental fee. Each year about this time, parents whip out the checkbook to cover what might be the most unpopular fee in Indiana. The amount due can range from $50 to $150 or higher, depending on a student’s grade level and course requirements. For more than a decade,…

Andrea Neal column for June 15th and thereafter730 words INDIANAPOLIS — Time for a pop quiz on Indiana politics. Guess which political party includes the following statements in its 2004 platform. 1. "To combat public corruption and end the cycle of scandal, fraud and theft in state government, we support the creation of an Office of Inspector General" as well as stronger whistleblower protection laws to reward state employees for reporting wrongdoing. 2. "No task…

Andrea Neal column for release June 8 and thereafter700 words INDIANAPOLIS — Politicians dead-set on a prescription drug benefit for seniors are faced with two options: Maintain their foolish plan for a new Medicare entitlement that will bankrupt future generations, or follow in the footsteps of Indiana. In a refreshing change from the norm, Indiana is the trendsetter in providing prescription benefits to seniors. The HoosierRx program, launched in October 2000 under Gov. Frank O’Bannon,…

Andrea Neal column for Dec. 7 and thereafter740 words INDIANAPOLIS – When Joel Silverman agreed to serve as commissioner of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, he had a pretty good idea what might lie ahead. The challenges have been hammered home in recent days by the comments he’s heard from well-wishers: everything from "You’re crazy" and "You have to be nuts" to "I’ll pray for you." No appointment in the administration of Gov-Elect Mitch Daniels…